20171013

Mark Jessie and Joe Hockey are busy enclosing their three-year-old Raquette River Brewing facility in Tupper Lake because winter comes early to the Adirondacks.

They are turning their 3,000-square-foot pavilion into a year-round space, with solid walls on the bottom with windows stretching around the large patio area to maintain the expansive atmosphere. Eventually, there will be another bar area to take the pressure off the currently cramped tap station area, Adirondack furniture will replace the picnic tables, and a utility building will be constructed where the Donnie’s Barbecue food truck now sits. It will move across Balsam Street and may be joined by several other food trucks.

Beyond the structural upheaval, the brewing operation will ramp up as well. Beer production will be more than doubled via a new 10-barrel steam brewing system that will replace the current four-barrel electric brewing system. Overall quite a dramatic change in a young business that began as a modest two-barrel system.

“We knew we would have to expand, but we never thought that things would happen as quickly as they have,” Jessie told the Adirondack Enterprise. (Go here for a detailed story by the Enterprise.)• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20171007

The Beer Diviner will close its 461 Broadway taproom in Troy at the end of this month after barely a year in operation.

Owner Jonathan Post says he didn't make sufficient money on the venture, an offshoot of his rural Rensselaer County nanobrewery at 243 Bly Hollow Road in Cherry Plain. He apparently is looking for a more lucrative location in Troy.

Conversely, Post says his country taproom has seen an uptick in business. It is open noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. although he says he is contemplating expanding the hours.

Post emphasizes that he is not abandoning Troy, listing a number of pop-ups and other events in which he plans to participate.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170927

Homebrew EmporiumIs developing a
nanobrewery and taproom next to its brewing supplies store at 470 North Greenbush Road, Rensselaer.

While awaiting all necessary licensing, it has installed
a 100-gallon Psycho Brew system. A November opening is anticipated.

Homebrew is owned by Roger and Anita Savoy, who also have locations in
New Rochelle and in Cambridge, South Weymouth, and West Boylston, MA.

Once their nanobrewery opens, it will bring to 57 the number of craft breweries in the Greater Capital Region. Go here for a complete list. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170919

Fort Orange Brewing Company, a seven-barrel craft brewery now in development at 450 Broadway in Albany's Warehouse District, will hold a 4 p.m. ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the new facility on Wednesday, October 25, according to partner Jim Eaton.

Speaking for partners Craig Johnson, John Westcott and himself, Eaton said, "We are excited that the day we have been dreaming about for quite
some time is almost upon us. Thank you for your support along our
journey. As we head down the homestretch we created a crowdfunding website where you can help us put the finishing touches on our taproom.
Check out the fun packages we created."

The brewery is located at 450 North Pearl Street in Albany's Warehouse District. Phone: (518) 992-3103.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170918

The old adage advises "Don't build a big church just for the Easter crowd." So, do you expand the seating capacity of a nanobrewery when you're open only once a week?

Yes, but The Real McCoy brewery, located on Hallwood Road behind the Delmar Post Office, plans to add a deck for outdoor seating and to expand its hours in the process.

Back in May, owner Michael Bellini Tweeted, "I've been focused on some additional upgrades and additions
which will allow for more regular hours, more beer and more beer as well
as more beer." Now, he is being more specific.

Bellini has submitted his plans to the Town of Bethlehem to construct a 256-square-foot wooden deck along one side of the brewery building. The project would include a redoing of the parking area, and the addition of some landscaping.

Currently, The Real McCoy is open only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. However, Bellini told the town, "It is my intention to add additional days and hours of operation if the site plan application is approved."

He also hopes to host food trucks at the site, a commonplace practice at many microbreweries and small wineries.

The site
also is home to the Royal Meadery. The property owner of both buildings is local resident John Borst. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170902

View, the multi-arts pavilion, will be the site of the Old Forge BrewFest Craft Beer Festival next Saturday, September 9.

Organizers say the event will showcase more than 60 releases from American craft breweries. Attendees will receive four hours of sampling, from noon to 4 p.m., as well as a souvenir glass. Food will be available for purchase, and live music is on the schedule.

Ticket prices online:
View members $30, non-members $35, designated drivers $10.
In addition, participants in the Old Forge Marathon will be admitted for $30.

View is located at 3273 NY-28 (North Street) in the Herkimer County hamlet. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

On a self-guided tour, visitors can make stops on their own schedule to sample the artisan cheeses as well as sample the craft beverages. Note that despite the name of the event, the trail meanders into Vermont.

The tour is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday and Sunday, September 9-10. Participating businesses:

R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewery, Salem

Victory View Vineyard, Greenwich/Schaghticoke

Argyle Cheese Farmer, Argyle

Consider Bardwell Farm, West Pawlet, VT

Dancing Ewe Farm, Granville

Moxie Ridge Farm and Creamery, Argyle

• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170804

The results are in from the inaugural New York State Craft Beer Competition, held at the Great New York State Fair.

Medals were spread around fairly evenly across the state, selected from a field of 143 New York craft breweries. The winner of the top award -- the Governor's Excelsior Cup — was Three Pines Brewing Company of the Gowanus area of Brooklyn for its "Vliet Pilsner."
The same brewery also won first place in the "Belgian Farmhouse" category for its "Wandering Bline."

20170726

Veteran actor Kelsey Grammer is joining the ranks of New York State craft brewers with a farm brewery in a barn near Margaretville, Delaware County.

The star of the TV comedy series "Cheers" and "Frasier," the HBO drama "Boss" and other TV and film vehicles is behind setting up shop on an old farm he used to visit as a child and purchased about 25 years ago. It's called the Faith American Brewing Company, named after his youngest daughter, Faith Evangeline Elisa.

If this news seems familiar, it could be because Paul Leone, executive director of the New York State Brewers Association, posted a photo with Grammer to his social media accounts last year saying Grammer planned to start a brewery near Margaretville, a village on the northern edge of the Catskill Park. However, those posts were quickly removed and the topic went cold until Grammer this week confirmed his venture during an appearance on the TV chat show "Live with Kelly and Ryan."

“It’s very hard because it’s in a watershed," Grammer said, " so you have to do a lot of stuff for water treatment, waste disposal, all that stuff. And, it’s important, so we’re doing that, so it’s taking a little while. We’ve actually started the beer first, which will be released in a little while: Faith American Ale.”

Grammer did not mention any release dates, although he said he conducted a private tasting of the ale last weekend, and no opening date has been announced.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

Distillers whose operations come under the state's "farm distillery" definition got a boost on Tuesday when Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation that allows them to sell New York-produced beer, wine, and cider for consumption on-premises. It goes into effect immediately.

"This measure restores parity for New York's burgeoning craft beverage industry and allows for new revenue streams and exposure for the great brewers, distillers, and wine and cider makers all across this great state," Cuomo said in his signing message. "As I've said many times, when New Yorkers buy New York-made products, everybody wins."

Prior to this bill (S.2481/A.2994) becoming law, farm distilleries were limited to selling only New York State-labelled spirits for on-premises consumption. Meanwhile, farm breweries, farm cideries and farm wineries were permitted to sell New York State-labelled beers, wines, spirits and ciders for on-premises consumption.

John Curtin, co-founder and co-owner, the Albany Distilling Company and
vice president of the New York State Distillers Guild, said, "We cannot
express how much the signage of this bill means to New York's craft
distilling industry. For us at Albany Distilling, we've made significant
investments in anticipation of the passage of this bill, including a
new tasting room and production facility. We can proudly serve our
spirits alongside fellow New York-produced beer, wine, and cider by the
glass. A tremendous thanks to Governor Cuomo for his leadership in
making the Empire State the capital of nation's craft beverage
industry."• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170725

The latest addition to the local beer scene is under construction on Lake George -- at 4933 Lake Shore Drive, where Bolton Landing Brewing Company is aiming for a September opening.

“We don’t have a date yet, but when we do, you know I will shout it from the mountain,” said company president Brendan Murnane, who along with his father, John, is building the seven-barrel brew house and taproom in the building that once housed Makado Sushi and, before that, Son of a Sailor.

“ ... We’ve gutted the inside of the building. It’s not really built for a brewery, but we are going to make it into one,” Brendan Murnane said. “We’re pouring the floor for the brew house, and once we get that in place, we will start working on the taproom.”
...

Murnane, who previously worked for the Westchester County executive’s office, said his family has been in Bolton Landing for nearly 30 years, and he wanted to settle down here. He has hired Shawn Kerr, formerly of 12 Gates Brewing Co. of Williamsville, as his head brewer.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

Each month, a local charity or not-for-profit organization will be featured on the Community Tap. The organizations will be chosen from suggestions submitted by R.S. Taylor and Sons' patrons. Every time a pint is pulled from the Community Tap, an extra dollar that has been added to the price will go directly to the organization featured that month.

The Community Tap program is designed for ongoing, local charitable giving. Says Kelley Taylor, wife of brewery owner Richard Taylor, "Craft beer drinkers are an enthusiastic group. We wanted to capture some of the passion, generosity and sense of community spirit inherent in today's craft beer crowd and create a fun and easy way for them to support the local causes that matter to them," said Kelley Taylor wife of owner Richard Taylor. " ... Our brewery is very involved in supporting local organizations in our home community of Hebron, over in Washington County, and the Community Tap program is an extension of that at our new tap room in Saratoga Springs."

The Village Square is located at the intersection of Route 9 and Hudson Street. The event is sponsored by the Kinderhook Business and Professional Association.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170719

The American Homebrewers Association has just released a list of 50 craft beer recipes it is sharing with amateurs cross the nation. Says the announcement:

"Behind every great brewery are skilled craft brewers. These men and women shed blood, sweat, and tears to bring their range of traditional and more experimental beers to our glasses. But what you might not know is many of these professional craft brewers had humble beginnings as homebrewers in their garages and backyards.

"Since there are over 1.2 million Americans out there who brew beer at home, we reached out to craft brewers (and a few mead makers) all over the country to compile a list of commercial beer clone recipes.

"Scanning this list, you’ll find a clone recipe from a craft brewery in every state that has been scaled down to 5-10 gallon batches, so you can enjoy making these commercial beer clone recipes at your home brewery."

Go here for the details. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170718

The tsunami of microbreweries in the Greater Capital Region (go here for a full list) shows no signs of abating. Hardly a week goes by without the revelation of yet another such undertaking.

The latest is Slate Town Brewing Company, a brewery and pub now under development in Washington County. Its creation comes courtesy of another craft brewer's growth.

Glenn Wetherell, head brewer at the nearby Slyboro Cider House, and Susan Knapp teamed up to create their own operation when Argyle Brewing Company of Greenwich decided to sell its old brewing system once it installed new equipment as part of a major business expansion. Enter Slate Town.

The embryonic business is being put together at 31 Main Street in Granville, formerly the location of Brenda's Hidden Treasures arts and crafts store. Once the equipment is installed and all the necessary permits acquired, Wetherell and Knapp are hoping for an opening by the end of the year.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170716

Those of us who keep track of new craft/microbreweries in the Greater Capital Region might be excused if we are ticked off at Rocky Patel apparently faking the existence of one.

His awkwardly renamed Philly Brewery-Lounge-Coal Oven in Latham, which had been known as Philly Bar & Grill until another of its periodic makeovers, uses the term "brewery" right in its name and its website advertises four beers brewed onsite by something called Umami Brewing.

The problem? As noted in today's Times Union restaurant review by Susie Davidson Powell, "The website confidently describes four crisp beers brewed onsite by Umami Brewing, so when I can't actually find it, our server sheepishly admits it doesn't exist."

Not only that, she reports that management subsequently admitted that not only do the promised beers not exist, there is no onsite brewery, no brewer, and no brewing being done elsewhere for the venue.

Nevertheless, Patel claims just the opposite on his website page under the heading "Umami Brewing." Specifically, he says:

"You can expect superior quality, flavor, and brewing technique
with our own micro-brewery. We develop amazing craft beer in small
batches featured specifically for your enjoyment. Like our food, we
create seasonal craft beers to ensure quality fresh ingredients. Our
Umami Brewing technique ensures a savory brew. Fuse that with the
ability to brew four different styles of beer at once and you’ll have
many great options to choose from. Make your visit a wholesome
experience by pairing our fresh cuisine, with our specialty brews."

I believe there is a label for claims such as these. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170713

[Some Greene County residents of] Lexington and West Kill were left with a bad
taste in their mouths when they heard about a proposal by a resident to
build a brewing facility in town.

The residents brought their
concerns about the potential of increased traffic and disruption to the
quality of life to the Lexington Planning Board during its monthly
meeting Tuesday.

Greenport Beer & Ale Company founder Ed Raven
discussed his proposed design and buildout for a 9,000-square-foot
single story barn and brewing facility with an area for dining and an
outdoor biergarden at the planning committee’s June meeting, according
to the proposal.

The location would be 106 Spruceton Road. The
barn would be built on Raven’s property and would also serve as a
production facility for his beverages to be produced wholesale, Raven
said. Greenport’s beverages will be available for sale at retail stores
in New York City and possibly in the Hudson Valley. It would be
expensive to build a brewery in New York City, Raven said, so building
in West Kill was ideal because he already owns land in town.

“There’s
a lot of issues we have to address before we break ground,” Raven said.
“The emphasis of this location is not to be a big retail outlet.”

Go here for the full story. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170708

The Stewart’s Shops chain of convenience stores has been increasing shelf space for craft beers at its 335 locations in the past few years. Now, it is teaming with a local brewer to help fill it with its own label brew.

Stewart's has contracted with Shmaltz Brewing Company of Clifton Park to produce High Cliff, a medium-bodied India pale ale (IPA) retailing at $8.99 for a six-pack of 12-ounce bottles.

This is not the first beer made for Stewart's. The Saratoga-based chain introduced its first proprietary beer -- Mountain Brew Ice, manufactured in Wisconsin -- in 2010. But, according to spokesperson Maria D’Amelia, “We are seeing craft beers continuing to be very popular. We saw this as an opportunity to offer even more variety. This is getting our feet wet.”

High Cliff will be available only in Stewart's Shops, according to the company. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170707

UPDATE 2 (7/7/17): The World of Beer pub chain was secretive about its plans to abruptly close its Crossgates Mall venue last summer, and did so with no public notice. Of course, it isn't shy at all about announcing when it will reopen -- Monday, July 17, according to a company announcement. This time, rather than being run by a franchise holder, the pub will be a company-run entity. Hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday to Thursday, and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

UPDATE (6/0/17): If the corporate website isn't just a tease, the World of Beer chain appears to be returning to Crossgates Mall in Guilderland. The "locations" website page says "REOPENING SOON!" on what it calls its "Albany" location.(Originally published 7/23/16)

Headline: Crossgates closing only latest for World of Beer

Any time a pub or restaurant quietly closes and doesn't announce plans for a renovation, reopening, or anything else, that is not a good sign.

So, one must assume World of Beer, the chain tavern in Guilderland's Crossgates Mall, is gone from this market.
As evidence, the doors are locked, the phone doesn't work, the website, Facebook page, and Twitter account haven't been updated in months.

When Times Union food blogger Steve Barnes tried to find out what is going on, he was stonewalled, saying, "An employee at the mall’s information desk told me the closure was sudden and they have been instructed to say that World of Beer is 'closed temporarily.' A World of Beer staffer who emailed me wrote, 'We can’t get an answer as to when or even if it will reopen'.”

WOB, which leans heavily on its 500-beer selection and live musical performances in its marketing, has opened more than 70 locations in 20 states since its first spot debuted in Tampa, FL, in 2007. The Crossgates location opened its doors in June 2014. However, its closure shouldn't be a shock. My research reveals that in the past 18 months or so, abrupt closings of WOB locations have taken place in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood; in St. Petersburg, Land O Lakes, and Jacksonville Beach, FL; in Austin and Dallas, TX; in Columbus and the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, OH; in Milwaukee; in the Seattle suburb of Renton; in Denver, and in Ann Arbor, MI. And, that's what I found in less than 10 minutes of searching.

Most of the shuttered spots had been open only about two years on average.
As recently as six months ago, CEO Paul Avery didn't say anything about closing any locations when he bragged in an interview with the industry website Brewbound:

"2015 was an excellent year of growth for World of Beer, as we have not only met but exceeded our goal of robust growth and in adding quality franchise partners. ... Last year’s success has set us up for another promising year, and we look forward to expanding the World of Beer brand to new markets nationwide and overseas in markets such as China, India and the Philippines.”• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

Peter Martin, director of brewing operations for Brown'sBrewing Company, died at his home Tuesday when the tractor he was riding flipped, according to an announcement Thursday from Rensselaer County Sheriff Patrick Russo.

Russo said Martin, 45, was pulling out tree stumps on his 1254 Pine Valley Road, Hoosick, property Tuesday evening when the
chain hooked to the back of his tractor caused the machinery to flip and
crush him.

The company released a statement Wednesday, saying Martin "was loved by
many and was an integral part of our Brown's Brewing family."

Russo said the county medical examiner pronounced Martin dead at the scene and an autopsy determined the cause of death as compression asphyxia, meaning the tractor pinned him down and made breathing impossible.

The Capital Craft Beverage Trail Association today released the following statement: “We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Peter Martin. Peter was the head brewer at Brown’s Brewing Co., a member of the Capital Craft Beverage Trail, and served at the iconic Troy-based brewery for 23 years with distinction. Peter was loved by many and was an integral part of Brown's Brewing. His loss is a loss for the entire craft beverage industry in New York. His legacy will live on through the countless lifelong memories and friendships that he shared with all who knew him. We send our condolences to Peter’s family, the Brown’s Brewing Co. community, and ask that everyone respect his family's privacy.”
• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170706

The venue is located in Congress Plaza at 26A Congress Street in Saratoga Springs. The doors will open at 4 p.m.

The 1,600-square-foot space is the brewery's second tap room, and has a dozen taps to serve customers.

RS Taylor operates on Misty Bleu Farm in the Town of Hebron, Washington
County, which was acquired by the Taylor family in 2011. That facility
consists of 50 acres of fields, hardwood stands, protected wetlands and
600 feet of cascades on Taylor Creek, which ultimately finds its way to
the Battenkill. The main house, cottage and tap room were built in 2015.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170623

MORRISVILLE -- Morrisville State College partner Good Nature Farm Brewery is officially open for business.

Good Nature, a homegrown and family-owned craft brewery and tap room founded in 2010, has partnered with the college through the START-UP NY program, which creates tax-free areas associated with colleges and universities across the state in order to spur economic growth.

The partnership aligns with Morrisville State College’s implementation of a new food technology four-year degree program featuring three concentrations: brewing science and technology, agricultural marketing and food science. The curriculum will include 10 brewing courses, which will educate students on first-hand practical business experience with a large-scale production brewery.

... The Morrisville State College Brewing Institute, located at the Copper Turret Restaurant and Brewhouse, will serve as a laboratory for students in the new program. ...

Go here for the full story.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170622

A bill passed by both houses of the State Legislature has been sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo to give licensed breweries, distilleries, and cideries the same sales tax exemption for tastings that wineries now have.

The bill would allow the exemption even if vendors he state Senate and Assembly have passed a bill charge for the tasting. Under current law, any wine, beer, cider, or liquor tasting that is provided free of charge is exempt from having to impose the state sales and use tax. However, wineries are granted a sales tax exemption even if they charge for the tasting.

“As the number of breweries and distilleries increases across New York, including many farm-based operations, we must ensure that we provide a level playing field for those in the industry,” said Erie County Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C-I). “Right now, these businesses don’t enjoy the same sales tax benefits provided to wineries. That’s not fair to them or their customers.”• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170621

HALFMOON -- Two couples living near the Fairways of Halfmoon golf course have taken legal action to prevent the course from adding a brew pub.

Joseph and Donna Micklas and James and Maria Hopeck filed the lawsuit ...against the Halfmoon Planning Board and the Fairways of Halfmoon LLC, 17 Johnson Road, in state Supreme Court in Saratoga County.

The Micklases live on Raylinsky Lane and the Hopecks live across from the golf course on Johnson Road. The golf course is owned by developer Bruce Tanski though he was not listed in the legal action.

The two couples seek to annul the Planning Board’s approval May 8 of the plans for a 1,967-square-foot addition for the brew pub and its accompanying special use permit.
The legal action comes 10 weeks after a public hearing was held on the project at which both Joseph Micklas and James Hopeck spoke. Both men expressed displeasure with the plan, saying it would put a commercial business in an A-R (agricultural-residential) zone. Micklas pointedly questioned whether this particular business at this location fit the town code requirements for special use permit consideration.
After minor revisions to the plan, the application was approved with a 6-1 board vote on May 8. The lone vote against the approval was board member John Higgins.

Go here for the full story.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170620

UPDATE (6/0/17): If the corporate website isn't just a tease, the World of Beer chain appears to be returning to Crossgates Mall in Guilderland. The "locations" website page says "REOPENING SOON!" on what it calls its "Albany" location.

(Originally published 7/23/16)

Headline: Crossgates closing only latest for World of Beer

Any time a pub or restaurant quietly closes and doesn't announce plans for a renovation, reopening, or anything else, that is not a good sign.

So, one must assume World of Beer, the chain tavern in Guilderland's Crossgates Mall, is gone from this market.
As evidence, the doors are locked, the phone doesn't work, the website, Facebook page, and Twitter account haven't been updated in months.

When Times Union food blogger Steve Barnes tried to find out what is going on, he was stonewalled, saying, "An employee at the mall’s information desk told me the closure was sudden and they have been instructed to say that World of Beer is 'closed temporarily.' A World of Beer staffer who emailed me wrote, 'We can’t get an answer as to when or even if it will reopen'.”

WOB, which leans heavily on its 500-beer selection and live musical performances in its marketing, has opened more than 70 locations in 20 states since its first spot debuted in Tampa, FL, in 2007. The Crossgates location opened its doors in June 2014. However, its closure shouldn't be a shock. My research reveals that in the past 18 months or so, abrupt closings of WOB locations have taken place in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood; in St. Petersburg, Land O Lakes, and Jacksonville Beach, FL; in Austin and Dallas, TX; in Columbus and the Cleveland suburb of Lakewood, OH; in Milwaukee; in the Seattle suburb of Renton; in Denver, and in Ann Arbor, MI. And, that's what I found in less than 10 minutes of searching.

Most of the shuttered spots had been open only about two years on average.
As recently as six months ago, CEO Paul Avery didn't say anything about closing any locations when he bragged in an interview with the industry website Brewbound:

"2015 was an excellent year of growth for World of Beer, as we have not only met but exceeded our goal of robust growth and in adding quality franchise partners. ... Last year’s success has set us up for another promising year, and we look forward to expanding the World of Beer brand to new markets nationwide and overseas in markets such as China, India and the Philippines.”• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

Beer and wine are sold in this California theater where clip-on trays also holds food items.

UPDATE 3 (6/20/17): State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters Monday he opposes on safety grounds Gov. Andrew Cuomo's idea of expanding alcohol sales in movie theaters. That statement effectively scuttles Cuomo's pitch, first made in January, since no piece of legislation can make it to the floor for a vote without the endorsement of the speaker.

UPDATE 2 (4/12/17): Governor Andrew Cuomo's push to allow all movie houses in the state to sell alcoholic drinks failed to get enough support in the Legislature to become reality. Neither the Republican-led Senate nor the Democrat-led Assembly included it in their budget proposals, and the final budget passed over the weekend did not include any provisions for the measure. Current state law prevents movie
theaters from selling such beverages unless the venue also serves restaurant-style food and
has tables to go with every seat.

UPDATE (1/20/17): In one of his budget speeches this week, Governor Andrew Cuomo said he would propose granting approval for movie theaters to serve wine and beer, as well as incentives to encourage them to be sure those are New York State products. The catch -- and isn't there always a catch with government? -- is that Cuomo's actual paperwork reveals that such service would NOT be restricted to wine and beer, and there is no provision for incentives for using state products.

(Originally published 1/18/17)

In New York State you can sip a beer or a glass of wine while watching a standup comic perform live, listen to a lounge singer-pianist or a jazz quintet, or even stroll through a gallery to see an art collection or hear a speaker. If alcohol-friendly Governor Andrew Cuomo has his way, you'll be able to enjoy the same beverages while taking in a movie.

There is a small handful of movie houses in the state allowed to sell such beverages now, a result of a succesful 2011 lawsuit filed by Nitehawk Cinemas seeking such a privilege, but they must have table seating and offer a full restaurant menu. Hardly the same as sitting in your neighborhood moviehouse and sloching back into a comfy overstuffed seat while you take in the latest version of the "Hunger Games" franchise, and hardly a sufficient-sized venue to handle crowds for first-run films.

During his budget address delivered publicly on Tuesday, Cuomo said that in addition to dozens of revenue and regulation recommendations,
"We also had a proposal that would allow alcohol and beer to be sold in movie theaters. And, it would be joined with an incentive program, to incentivize the movie theaters to sell New York wine and beer."

If successful, the proposal would be just another step in a long series of moves by the governor to aid the state's wine/spirits/brewing industry by simplifying regulations, expanding tax credits, creating promotional programs, and speeding up licensing.

“It is a very big industry for us," Cuomo said. "We have developed it, it’s going gangbusters, anything we can do to encourage it. It’s especially successful in Upstate New York."• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

The Seneca County facility has teamed up with CB Craft Brewers of nearby Honeoye Falls, south of Rochester, to create del Lago Summer IPA that will debut this week at the casino. The gaming portion of the complex opened in February near Waterloo off Thruway Exit 41. Its 225-room hotel and spa are scheduled to open on Friday, July 1, several weeks ahead of schedule.

CB Craft Brewers, which this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary, already had been producing house beers for bars, restaurants and other venues that do not have their own brewing equipment. The new IPA (India Pale Ale) will be served on tap starting at 6 p.m. Thursday in The Vine, the casino's entertainment venue.

"The vision for del Lago Resort & Casino has always been to embrace and promote all that the region has to offer, including local breweries, wineries, businesses and tourist destinations," general manager Jeff Babinski said in a statement.

Del Lago is one of the three full-service, non-Indian casinos that have
opened in Upstate in the past seven months, including joining the Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady and Tioga Downs in Nichols, west of Binghamton. The $440 million facility has 1,980 slot machines and 99 gaming tables. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

That didn't take long. Governor Andrew Cuomo, a strong and continually-pushing cheerleader for New York State's craft adult beverage industry, cooked up a Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge in May. It involved five breweries' products in a taste-off involving a celebrity judging panel. That, it seems, was just the start of his competitive juices.

On Monday, Cuomo's office announced that this year's New York State Fair will
host its first professionally judged contest for commercial beers -- the New York State Craft Beer Competition, with
the top brew earning the Governor's Excelsior Cup. The statement said the aim is to promote the state's fast-growing beer industry in New York, which now has more
than 340 breweries, the most since before Prohibition.

The commercial beer contest will be new to the Fair, which already hosts a homebrew competition as well as commercial and amateur wine
contests. It will award gold, silver and
bronze medals to the beers judged best in 20 categories, Cuomo said.
Categories will include standards pale ale and lager along with a variety of and niche
styles.

Judging will take place July 29 in Rochester, coordinated by the New York State Craft Brewers Association. It is open to any craft brewer located in the state. Brewers may enter more than one variety of beer. Each entry is $45. Details and entry instructions are available online.

The Excelsior Cup winner and other medal winners will be displayed in
the Horticulture Building at the Fair, which this year will run from August 23 to September 4. There also will be a sampling booth and daily Taste NY
wine and beer seminars.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

New York's craft distilleries will be allowed to sell beer, wine and cider by the glass if Governor Andrew Cuomo, as expected, puts his signature on a bill passed by both house of the State Legislature this week.

Currently, farm distilleries may sell beer, wine and cider only by the bottle and not for on-premises consumption.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. George Amedore and Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy, is an expansion pf a 2016 bill that allows New York’s farm cideries, wineries and breweries to serve other New York-made alcohol on premises.

“We cannot express how much the passing of this bill means to us,” said John Curtin, co-founder and co-owner of the Albany Distilling Co. and vice president of the New York State Distillers Guild.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170607

Grumblings are growing louder and legislation that limits direct beer sales out of tasting rooms is getting passed.[around the country] ...

Though breweries work in partnership with their distributors and
retailers, they also compete against them when they construct tasting
rooms and pubs that might draw hundreds of customers every day of the
week.

Go here for the story. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

QUEENSBURY -- A big new "beer hub" is gearing up this summer to boost growth for two breweries in different parts of Upstate New York.

The Lake George Beer Hub is in the town of Queensbury between Lake George and Glens Falls. It's producing beers for two separate breweries -- Cooperstown Brewing Co., of Milford near Cooperstown, and Davidson Brothers Brewing Co., founded in Glens Falls.

The hub -- with a big brewhouse and tasting room -- was built by Davidson Brothers in 2014. It now is owned and operated by a third company, Northern Eagle Beverages, a beer distributor located in Oneonta.
Old Slugger Pale Ale from Cooperstown Brewing Co., produced at the Lake George Beer Hub.
Old Slugger Pale Ale from Cooperstown Brewing Co., produced at the Lake George Beer Hub. ...

"The bottom line is we can produce more beer for both Cooperstown and Davidson Brothers and better manage the production efficiently (at the beer hub)," said George Allen, Northern Eagle's president. The Lake George Beer Hub had its grand opening last week.

Go here for the full story. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170605

The microbrewery, located on Route 5 in West Glenville, this morning took delivery of a pair of new 15-barrel fermentation tanks, effectively doubling its production capacity within a few weeks when the new equipment goers online.

The additional equipment is part of a $120,000 expansion-and-improvement plan that co-owner Peter Bednarek describes this way:

"As many of you know, we have been talking about our expansion
project for a while now and kept using the word 'soon.' Well, this
morning 'soon became a reality.' ... Along with these new
tanks there have been some other projects going on around the brewery
you may also have noticed. Last week, we put in a brand new septic
system, which you can still see right now when you pull into the parking
lot on the left side. This new system will allow us to handled the
scaled-up beer production.

"Another project that most have not seen is
the new keg refrigerator that has been constructed in the back barn.
This fridge is now home to the 200+ new kegs that arrived on the truck
along with the fermenters this morning and also soon will be operational
to help store all the new beer. "

Wolf Hollow has been working with four seven-barrel tanks. The expansion will enable it to broaden its portfolio from 12 to 16 brews. In addition, expanded tasting rooms will be added. Currently, they are limited to Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The facility is located at 6882 Amsterdam Road. Phone: (518) 214-4093.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170602

UPDATE (6/2/17): The first shipment of Chinese-manufactured beer fermentation tanks measuring 20 feet wide by 60 feet
tall today was sitting on an Erie Canal lock just outside the suburban Rochester town of Gates. They are on schedule for delivery, and are expected to be loaded onto flatbed truck on Saturday and moved five miles to their destination, the Genesee Brewing Company in downtown Rochester.

Despite media and public interest in the project, several state and local politicians have expressed displeasure with the brewery using state economic development funding for the purchase of tanks they claim could have been made in-state. Go here for that story.

(Originally published 5/22/17)

HEADLINE: Beer fermentation tanks moving via the Erie Canal

Even the weakest student of geography knows it's a shorter
distance from China to Rochester if you don't go by way of Albany (and
if you're traveling the traditional easterly route). But, it's a
different story if you're delivering beer fermentation tanks.

The first three of a dozen 20-by-60-foot tanks being shipped from the manufacturer in China to the Genesee Brewing Company in downtown Rochester is now on the way. Their first domestic stop was at the Port of Albany, where they were placed on barges because they are too large for conventional movement by rail or truck. Then it was goodbye high tech, and hello Erie Canal.

The barge passed through the Waterford locks at the eastern terminus of the waterway just off the Hudson River opposite Troy on Friday. The westbound trip had temporarily been delayed by a high water level caused by heavy rains.

The tanks are part of Genesee Brewing's $40 million expansion project. If you're interested in tracking -- and maybe observing -- any of the trip as some people have been doing, here's the schedule for the first shipment of tanks:

May 23: Tanks will proceed to Niskayuna to Scotia to Rotterdam Junction/Glenville to Cranesville to Amsterdam to Tribes Hill

May 24: Tribes Hill to Randall to Canajoharie to Fort Plain to Mindenville

May 25: Mindenville to Little Falls to Frankfort to Utica

May 26: Utica to Rome to New London

May 27: New London to Brewerton to Baldwinsville

May 28: Baldwinsville to Mays Point to Clyde to Lyons

May 29/30: Lyons to Newark to Palmyra to Macedon to Pittsford to Henrietta; Tanks arrive at 150 Lee Road in Rochester

By way of comparison with the $40 million project, the idea of the 363-mile-long Erie Canal was authorized in 1817 by the New York State
Legislature with a budget of $7 million. It was completed in 1825.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170601

Chatham Brewing today debuted a new line of food offerings in its taproom.

It has been serving food from the Hudson diner Grazin' for some time, but now is serving a small in-house menu from what it is calling the Main Street Kitchen as a nod to the complex's location.

The Asian-style dishes were devised for the taproom by the neighboring People's Pub, and include such items as double fried Korean wings, Korean shaved beef sandwich, and vegetable ramen. The menu is available online.

The brewery’s cafe will be open daily except Tuesday: from 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, noon Friday through Sunday. Food service will close an hour before the tasting room does.

Chatham Brewing and Main Street Kitchen are located at 59 Main Street in the village. Phone: (518) 697-0202.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170526

A Buffalo area brewery is partnering with a bi-coastal restaurant
group to make a signature beer for sale in its New York State
restaurants.

42 North Brewing Company is brewing Cayuga Wheat, using New York State wheat malt and the Cayuga grape, which is native to the state.

The beer was first served at Patina 250, the group's restaurant in
the Delaware North building in downtown Buffalo, headquarters of the Delaware North Co. which has a majority interest in the Patina Restaurant Group.

With
the expanded distribution, Cayuga Wheat now is available on tap in Patina
restaurants in New York City at Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and elsewhere. It
also is available at Patina 250 and 42 North's taproom at the brewery in East Aurora.

Overall, Patina has 57 upscale restaurants in New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, and Japan. • Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170522

Even the weakest student of geography knows it's a shorter
distance from China to Rochester if you don't go by way of Albany (and
if you're traveling the traditional easterly route). But, it's a
different story if you're delivering beer fermentation tanks.

The first three of a dozen 20-by-60-foot tanks being shipped from the manufacturer in China to the Genesee Brewing Company in downtown Rochester is now on the way. Their first domestic stop was at the Port of Albany, where they were placed on barges because they are too large for conventional movement by rail or truck. Then it was goodbye high tech, and hello Erie Canal.

The barge passed through the Waterford locks at the eastern terminus of the waterway just off the Hudson River opposite Troy on Friday. The westbound trip had temporarily been delayed by a high water level caused by heavy rains.

The tanks are part of Genesee Brewing's $40 million expansion project. If you're interested in tracking -- and maybe observing -- any of the trip as some people have been doing, here's the schedule for the first shipment of tanks:

May 23: Tanks will proceed to Niskayuna to Scotia to Rotterdam Junction/Glenville to Cranesville to Amsterdam to Tribes Hill

May 24: Tribes Hill to Randall to Canajoharie to Fort Plain to Mindenville

May 25: Mindenville to Little Falls to Frankfort to Utica

May 26: Utica to Rome to New London

May 27: New London to Brewerton to Baldwinsville

May 28: Baldwinsville to Mays Point to Clyde to Lyons

May 29/30: Lyons to Newark to Palmyra to Macedon to Pittsford to Henrietta; Tanks arrive at 150 Lee Road in Rochester

By way of comparison with the $40 million project, the idea of the 363-mile-long Erie Canal was authorized in 1817 by the New York State
Legislature with a budget of $7 million. It was completed in 1825.• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170521

Rankings are, as one might put it somewhat less crudely than usual, like rectal orifices. Everyone has one. The latest in New York State's beer world is a list of "best" taprooms by the influential website RateBeer.com.

The Newburgh Brewing Company was voted the "top tap room" in New York State in an online poll. As we all know by now, while online polls are popular, they are fraught with statistical inaccuracies. Nevertheless, they do offer some measure of popularity.

Christopher Basso

The brewery has been around only since 2012. Its
top-selling product is a cream ale, one of its four original beers. It
is made by brewmaster Christopher Basso, a graduate of both Boston
University and the French Culinary Institute who began his brewing
career at the Brooklyn Brewery.

The taproom is located in the brewery facility at 85 Colden Street in Newburgh, a block west of the Hudson River. Hours: Wednesday, 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight. Saturday, noon to midnight. Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (kitchen closes at 4 p.m.)• Go here for Notes On Napkins• Go here for Dowd On Drinks• Go here for Dowd's New York Wines Notebook

20170518

UPDATE 3 (5/18/17): There is no winner in the inaugural Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge.
There are two.
Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown and Roscoe Beer Co. of Sullivan County tied for top honors among from among five finalists at the tasetoff Wednesday night in Manhattan. The others were the Genesee Brewing Co. of Rochester, Prison City Pub & Brewery of Auburn, and Southern Tier Brewing Company of Chautauqua County.

UPDATE (5/13/17): Well, now we know who else will be on the judging panel for the Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge recently announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The first person the guv appointed was himself. On Friday, he revealed who will be joining him -- former Buffalo Bills football star Thurman Thomas, who owns a bar at the Batavia Downs horse track; celebrity chef Mario
Batali; Noah Kaufman, an editor at Food and Wine magazine, and Anne Becerra,
a writer and beer director for the Treadwell Park beer hall in New York City.

(Originally published 5/3/17)

Every one of the state's 321 craft breweries has its fans, so it will be interesting to see how large voter turnout is for the "Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge." That's the latest state government effort under its Taste NY program advocating for the state's food and beverage producers.

Then public will decide which five breweries make it into a taste-off by filling out an online ballot. Then, on a June date to be announced a judging panel led by Governor Andrew Cuomo will conduct a blind taste in Ndew York City and select a winner.

News of the contest comes right on the heels of the 20th annual TAP NY competition at Hunter Mountain, an event that decrees the best brewers and brews in the state. It has nothing to do with the Taste NY program.

If you need a refresher course on the many breweries located in the Greater Capital and environs, here is a list. I keep the geographic definition rather loose, given the propensity of people in
this area to travel a bit to attend the many drinks and food shows and
festivals with which it abounds. Thus, certain nearby parts of the
Adirondacks, Catskills and Cooperstown area are include.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill Dowd, longtime food and drink writer and judge, shares insights on news, trends, products, and people in brewing, with an emphasis on a virtual trail of craft breweries, brew pubs, restaurants, and beer- and cider-centric events in New York's "Greater Capital Region," an area with a rather fluid definition -- and sometimes news from elsewhere as well.